How to Fix Water Leaking Inside a Refrigerator

If you’re finding puddles of water inside your refrigerator, something is faulty and will need to be repaired to stop the water leaks from occurring.

Thankfully, in most cases, it’s something simple causing the leaks, which you should be able to fix yourself without needing to call a technician. Simply start with step one in this guide and then work your way down the list of possible causes until you have stopped the leaks.

Let’s get started.

Step 1 – Check the defrost drain

The first step is to check the defrost drain to ensure it isn’t blocked up. When the drain gets clogged up with loose debris or freezes, water is unable to drain out of your fridge and will instead end up in a puddle on the bottom of your refrigerator unit.

Here’s how to check the defrost drain, and if necessary, unblock it:

1. Take out any food from the bottom of your freezer compartment and any shelves or drawers so you can access the defrost drain.

2. Fill up a container of hot soapy water and then pour it down the defrost drain. This should unblock the drain and clean it out. If the water isn’t able to go down the drain, use a piece of wire to unblock it.

3. Once the drain has been flushed out, you can put the shelves and drawers back into the freezer along with any food you removed.

4. Check over the next few hours if the leaks have stopped. If not, proceed to step 2.

Step 2 – Check the water supply line

The next step is to check the water supply line. The water supply line supplies water to the ice maker. When it becomes damaged, it can start leaking water inside of your fridge.

Here’s how to check the water supply line:

1. Switch the power off to your fridge.

2. Locate the water supply line. In most refrigerator models, you’ll find it at the bottom of the fridge.

3. Check the line for any signs of damage. If damaged, it will need to be replaced. Make sure you also check the connection points to ensure there aren’t any leaks.

4. If the line isn’t damaged, you can disconnect the line (turn the water supply off first) and check if it’s blocked. If so, unblock it by running hot soapy water through the line before reattaching it. Even if the line isn’t blocked, it’s a good idea to run some soapy water through it to give it a clean.

5. Once you’ve reattached the line, check if the leaks have stopped. If not, proceed to step 3.

Step 3 – Check the door gasket

The door gasket is the rubber seal that goes around your fridge door. When you close the door, the gasket ensures your fridge is airtight. When the gasket stops working correctly humidity can develop in your fridge which turns into water.

Here’s how to check the door gasket:

1. Open your refrigerator door.

2. Thoroughly check the gasket for any signs of damage.

3. If damaged, the gasket will need to be repaired or replaced. if you don’t find any damage, you can move on to step 4.

4. If you repair or replace the gasket, check to see if the leak has stopped. If not, move on to step 4.

Step 4 – Check the water tank

Depending on the specific make and model of the fridge, it might have a water tank in it that supplies water to the ice maker and/or you can dispense cold water from. If the tank gets a crack in it, water might leak into your fridge.

Here’s how to check the water tank:

1. Locate the water tank in your fridge.

2. Inspect it for any signs of cracks or other damage. Make sure you also check the hoses and connection points that go into it too.

3. If damaged, it will need to be replaced. If the tank and hoses are fine, move on to step 5.

4. If you replace the tank, check if the leak has stopped. If not, move on to step 5.

Step 5 – Check the water filter assembly

The connection point where the water filter head goes can sometimes become damaged, which causes leaks to occur in your fridge.

Here’s how to check the water filter assembly:

1. Locate the water filter unit and remove the cover.

2. If you don’t have an automatic water inlet valve, you’ll need to turn the water supply off.

3. Remove the water filter. You will either need to push the button on it and pull it out or for some models, you push it in and turn it counterclockwise to remove it.

4. Once removed, check the assembly for any signs of damage.

5. If damaged, the water filter assembly will need to be replaced. If fine, reinstall the water filter and move on to the final step.

6. Once replaced, check if the leak has stopped. If not, proceed to the final step.

Step 6 – Change the water filter

The water filter helps to purify water that flows through your fridge and into the ice maker and out through the water dispenser. The filter needs to be replaced every 6 months to avoid it becoming defective. When the filter gets old it can also become leaky.

Here’s how to change the water filter:

1. If you don’t have an automatic water inlet valve, turn the water supply off.

2. Open your fridge door and locate the water filter unit.

3. Remove the water filter cover.

4. Take the water filter out. This can be done by pressing the button on it and pulling it out, or for some models, you need to push it in and turn it counterclockwise.

5. Once removed, replace the filter with a new one.

6. Put the cover back on the filter unit and turn the water supply back on if you turned it off earlier.7. After a few hours, check if the water leak has stopped.